Sexting Types and Motives Detected among Slovak Adolescents

The present study maps different types of adolescent sexting in the Slovak Republic, i.e. primary and secondary sexting, as well as self- and peer-sexting. Our research has been focused on the investigation and comparison of motives that make the adolescents of different ages and genders decide for voluntary, forced, primary, secondary, self- or peer-sexting. The research sample included 790 Slovak adolescents aged 12–18, of which 376 were boys (47.6%) and 414 were girls (52.4%). The gender-based comparison provided us with statistically significant differences in pursuing various types of sexting. The most frequent form of sexting is peer sexting. In terms of motivation, the research shows that most adolescents use individual sexting forms to seek attention or entertain themselves. Secondary sexting (as the most dangerous form of this behavior) is most often driven by entertainment, retaliation, revenge and jealousy. All these motives were also statistically more significant for male respondents.

The research results showed that male respondents were more active regardless of the sexting type and motive. In the research sample, was observed that 17.5% of adolescents were involved in primary sexting. The pursuit rate was equal for both male and female respondents and highest for the adolescents aged 16–18. Self-sexting behavior was quite frequent with 15-year-old teenagers. "The most notable motivation of pubescents at the age of 15 turned out to be the motive of seeking attention." (Hollá, K., 2020) Adolescents aged 16 and 18 were, first and foremost, moved by the motives of building relationships, flirting, and entertainment. The next type of sexting - peer-sexting was pursued by 29.2% of the research respondents. It is the most widespread sexting form in the Slovak Republic.